Mayo/Galway celebrations as Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark receives UNESCO status
THE Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark received its UNESCO Global Geopark accolade at a ceremony in Paris yesterday.
This is the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Connaught, and the fifth on the island of Ireland. It includes the only Gaeltacht region in a UNESCO geopark in the world.
This high-profile international badge of honour recognises the JCWL Geopark’s outstanding natural beauty, unique culture, rich heritage, Irish Language - Gaeltacht region, progressive and strong community spirit along with its inspired people.
The geopark encapsulates 20 highly motivated and determined communities across north Galway and south-west Mayo, inclusive of the Gaeltacht. Each community is dedicated to maintaining their individual charm and ethos while working together to sustain, nurture and support unique cultural and heritage skill sets and traditions.
Embracing new opportunities also forms part of the agenda, especially those which complement the sustained developmental efforts of people and their communities in order to achieve the coveted UNESCO status for the region.
A delegation from the geopark, including partners Mayo County Council, Galway County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta and GeoEnterprise, attended the formal presentation at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris.
Speaking from Paris, where he joined a Westport-Belmullet Municipal District meeting online, MD cathaoirleach Councillor Peter Flynn paid tribute to all who played a role in achieving the designation, especially the local communities.
Councillor Sean Carey, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, also attended the ceremony and speaking ahead of the event, he said: “This recognition of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark is a significant milestone for the county and local community in the area. Here in Mayo, we have always recognised the uniqueness of this stunning landscape and its geological heritage - but this designation will see this recognised on the world stage.
“I want to commend the different communities who have rowed in behind the project and been key drivers to where we have got to today and hopefully, they will be the ones to reap the rewards with increased tourism, educational and business opportunities to sustain and grow their communities.”
Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: “The ratification of Joyce Country & Western Lakes as a UNESCO Global Geopark is a landmark achievement that celebrates the extraordinary natural heritage and living Irish language culture of this remarkable region. Údarás na Gaeltachta is proud to support this recognition, which will open new doors for sustainable tourism, community development, and economic opportunity for the Gaeltacht communities at its heart.”
Trish Walsh, chair of JCWL GeoEnterprise (voluntary cross-community geopark representative group), commented“In 2009 the Irish economy was in a serious recession and rural communities in the west of Ireland were severely impacted. Our seed of hope was the belief that our region is a special place that needs to be developed sustainably for the future of our young people who deserved to be able to live and thrive in our communities into the future.
“UNESCO Global Geopark status is an international brand of quality that will help attract investment and market the region for sustainable growth and development. We are looking to the future as geoparks are established through bottom-up processes empowering local people and stakeholders in managing their own heritage and playing a significant role in developing thriving and vibrant communities.”